Peony Chinese Kitchen in Laguna Beach

Very beautiful location. Kind and patient waiter and the food was amazing. My family ate in the patio area, the atmosphere was calm and quiet. When we came, they didnt have their alcohol service license yet and ethically didnt serve us alcohol (I hope they got it now!) I only visited Cali when I went here, but if I ever come back, I know Im coming to this place again.

Great fresh food. My husband and I got the dumplings, rangoons, kung Pao, and general chicken. All were yummy! The breading on the chicken was light and crispy. The apps were so good I forgot to take pics >.< The service was top notch. We got level 8 spice which was perfect, not too overwhelming but a good kick.

We were in the area early for the Pageant of the Masters, and surrounding eateries all hand a longer wait time. We walked past this area, and they had a to-go menu tucked away along the sidewalk. We checked it out, and the pricing was good. As luck would have it, there was no wait to be seated, and we chose a shady corner outside. Service was quick and friendly, and knowledgeable. The waiter made sure to check allergies and spice levels, an extra bit of service we were happy to see. We ordered the vegetable egg rolls, the kung pao chicken, the orange chicken, the black pepper beef, the chicken fried rice, the chicken dumplings, and the chicken wonton in szechuan sauce. Starting with the appetizer items, the veggie egg rolls were a surprise! The veggie blend inside was hearty with hints of fresh herbs. They were perfectly fried. The chicken dumplings were pan fried. The filling was unique, as it was visually just chicken, but it was so flavorful. It was almost like XLB but in a different form. So good! The chicken wonton in szechuan sauce was unique. Not exactly my favorite, but it might be for someone else. For me, the spice level was fine, but it had too much of a lemon essence in it. Im not sure if they used lemon oil, but it didnt taste like natural lemon, and it was definitely the overpowering flavor of the dish. The chicken fried rice was perfect and basic, nothing fancy, but was a great base to build a plate on beyond white or brown rice. The kung pao chicken had a spicy kick! The veggies were fresh, the sauce was exactly what I expected, and the peanuts added a great crunch. The orange chicken was pretty much perfect, not overly sweet or otherwise pungent. The chicken pieces were cooked thoroughly without drying out. The black pepper beef was my favorite dish, and yes, theres a lot of black pepper on it. The beef chunks were tender and the sauce was umami goodness. If I would have had leftovers of this one, I would have tried to make a black pepper steak sandwich at home. It was delicious. If you cant tell from the pictures, the portions are generous, family style. This is as close to nostalgia home-cooked Chinese food as Ive ever had. They are currently working on getting their beer/wine license, so that wasnt available yet, but this is on the list to visit again if Im ever in the area. I would definitely recommend this place to friends. I can see why the reviews so far are amazing.

We loved our lunch today. We ordered orange chicken, king Pao, and Mongolian beef. All three were delicious. We would visit here again! Our little kid got chicken chow mein and loved that too. Great place for kids to eat!

I’m a few weeks behind on writing this review but wanted to make sure to give credit where credit is due. Me & my husband had a late lunch here on 10/21 and we were blown away by the customer service. I have never been to a restaurant in the area that gave exceptional service. I wish I had gotten the name of the server who deserves kudos for his customer service. He was super friendly, polite, professional and knowledgeable of what they served. We were really impressed receiving service like that from the younger generation, it’s just something you don’t get to come across too often. The food was delicious as well. We are definitely making this one of our regular spots.

Certainly! Heres another short review for a Chinese restaurant highlighting their tasty duck dish:A hidden gem for duck enthusiasts! This Chinese restaurant blew me away with their delectable dishes, but their roasted duck stole the show. The skin was beautifully crispy, while the meat was incredibly succulent and infused with delightful flavors. Each bite was like a culinary adventure. The staff was attentive and the ambiance was warm and inviting. I highly recommend this restaurant for anyone craving an unforgettable duck experience!

Very beautiful! The waiter was very patient and kind with my family. We sat outside and the atmosphere was quiet and comfortable. The food was made with love and care and my family enjoyed every bit of it. Im not from Cali, but if I ever go back, I know a good place to go to.

This place is amazing! From service to food! But the FOOD... the first thing I noticed was the quality of the food! I am an extremely picky eater and huge on Nutrition and the way things are prepared! This place has consistently shown and offered high quality meals with amazingly good portions! Cant complain about the prices either, very reasonable and worth it!On top of that... the service, and waiters are SUPER nice and helpful. Very generous place! Even treated my dog like a customer! Will forever come here when in Laguna.

Great food, great portions, great outdoor seating, and great service. We went yesterday on a Saturday and the service was exceptional.The orange chicken and Mongolian beef are fantastic; and the Thai tea is high quality.

Peony Chinese restaurant near the beach! Absolutely delicious wonton soup with homemade dumplings - the seasoning was sublime - and the best kung Pao chicken I have ever had. Cant wait to try to try the beef with pineapple and onions!